Manko cautions media on reporting security issues

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Umar Manko, has urged the media to be cautious in its reportage of national security issues to avoid more crisis.

Manko gave the advice at his investiture as Chief Patron of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria in Lagos on Friday night.

He said the media had the capacity and responsibility to make the country peaceful.

Represented by Damilola Adegbuyi, Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Manko said the media should always portray the nation in good light.

Manko, however, commended the association for its support to the police, and called for more support to security agencies, particularly the police to fight crime and criminality, especially, terrorism.

He said that without the media, criminal justice would not be complete, adding that the police and the press always face similar risk in the course of their duties.

“The role play by the media in national development cannot be over emphasised. Let us maintain synergy in fighting crime and criminality.

“Where there is area of conflict, let us talk it over.

“When it is of national security, let us be conscious of our responsibilities to the nation. The press should write for the peace of the nation,” Manko said.

Association chairman, Christopher Oji, said the investiture was an evidence of the good working relationship between the police and the press.

Oji said members of the force had always put their lives on the line for the safety of others, and called on the government to take care of the police to get the best from them.

The commissioner paid tribute to officers and men of the Lagos State command, particularly men from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) who lost their lives while on duty.

Security expert and Chairman of the occasion, Patrick Agbambu, commended the association for exposing criminals in the society.

Agbambu said the membership of the association should spread across all states.

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area ‘E’ command, Festac Town, Lagos, Dan Okoro, was made a patron of the association.